Suggestions for off site in Dec

[newtodis]

Can anyone give me some good suggestions of places to start looking off site in Dec or at a "good neighbor" resort? We'd prefer something with a kitchen to keep our food costs down and will need space for four adults, two teenagers and two little ones (6 and 4). The other family has two members who have never been and we're (the DH in the other family and myself) trying hard to get a great early Christmas surprise in the works. We just need to figure out the costs so we can book and budget accordingly withouth spouses/significant others noticing where the money's going. I'm thinking Cupid and the Easter Bunny will be bringing Disney gift cards and probably for birthdays as well so the kids will all have some spending money while we're down there. I just need a good reccomendation on where to start looking for something big enough for all of us. I'm debating renting points and staying DVC but I'm kind of leary about that having never done it before.

Can you tell I'm kind of lost at this point? We'll only be doing Disney so something close to Disney would be the best.

 

[Brian Noble]

Sounds like you'll want at least four bedrooms. I would probably look to a private pool home, renting directly from an owner, in one of the closer subdivisions. I like Windsor Hills myself, but Emerald Island, Windsor Palms, and a few others are also fine choices. You have the same issues as renting points from a DVC Member, except this will be a lot cheaper.

To give you an idea, here is a 5BR home in Windsor Hills that we've stayed in before. Great owners, very responsive, well decorated, and a very fair price.

http://www.luxuryorlandovilla.co.uk/

But, that's only one of literally hundreds and hundreds of choices.

You could also consider a 4BR Presidential condo at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but you'll pay a premium for that vs. a pool home. I think the home will likely be a better value.

 

[newtodis]

Thanks for the quick response! Yeah we were thinking at least four bedrooms and now may have another family going so 5 bedrooms would be the best. Where did you start looking for these houses? How do I find a reputible person to rent from?? I'm just worried about loosing my money on the deal and have too many other people's vacations falling into my hands with this trip to take a huge risk.

 

[JANNYANS]

You can start by looking at some of these sites -they are all rent by owners ones
www.Orlandovillas.com
www.Disneypremiervillas.com
www.thedibb.co.uk -this has an owner section


there are many others but these are popular ones/If you search pool homes for rent in Disney or similar you will get lots to choose from.
Once you have found your home then you can check all sorts of things on the appropriate county tax and court records site to see whether the owner is both legit and up to date with taxes and that they do not have any outstanding charges on their home.

I understand that it is daunting renting from an owner for the first time but in recent times the rental market has had more problems from companies going bust than individual owners.
Remember to have a good line of communication with your owner -any owner worth their salt will not mind answering any number of questions and giving you any information you require.
It is a 2 way trust thing renting a home but at least you can check out an owner which is more than the owner can do on their guests.
Enjoy searching and finding your home form home for the vacation.

 

[newtodis]

Thanks for the additional links! I appreciate them. I see that some of these links are to the UK - should I be worried about that??? I guess I always hear about sending money over seas and never hearing from the person again. Just makes me nervous.

 

[vettechick99]

A house sounds perfect! The ones at Reunion Ginn look amazing, if you can afford it.

 

[4forMe]

Thanks for the quick response! Yeah we were thinking at least four bedrooms and now may have another family going so 5 bedrooms would be the best. Where did you start looking for these houses? How do I find a reputible person to rent from?? I'm just worried about loosing my money on the deal and have too many other people's vacations falling into my hands with this trip to take a huge risk.

If you are nervous about renting through an individual owner, go through a management company. They offer a variety of homes and have many in Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms and Emerald Island. Here are two that have been highly recommended on this board:

www.floridasunvacationhomes.com

www.allstarvacationhomes.com